Ways to Prep for Finals Week

Once again, the time has come: Finals Week. The last two weeks of a semester can be extremely stressful for a college student. Preparing for finals is not only an academic thing, but a mental thing. So it’s important that you are prepared. Here are a few ways I prep for finals week.

Study !

You’re probably thinking, “Of course, this is a no brainer.” Well, you’d be surprised. In college, your classes end before finals start. That means, you will be on campus, until you’re done with all of your exams. Use your time wisely. It’s common for people to throw end of the semester parties, so plan accordingly. If you know you have an exam in a class that you’re struggling in, it might be helpful to miss that party and stay in and study. Whatever the case is for you, use your better judgement.

Put the Phone Down

When you start studying, put your phone on “Do Not Disturb”, or Airplane mode, so you can concentrate. I know a lot is happening on Instagram and Twitter, but you can’t be focused on that now. There have been times when I’ve told myself, “just 5 minutes of Tumblr”, and it turned into 45 minutes lol. Don’t let this be you. If you want a little bit of motivation, reward yourself with your phone during your breaks.

Create Study Guides

Study guides are vital. It’s an easy way to compress all of the information you need to know in one central space. Rewriting information for the study guides is also a way to review the information. They also come in handy for on the go study sessions.

Stay Hydrated and Well Fed

Coffee and fast food is often the food of choice during this time. Mainly because it’s quick, cheap (unless it’s Starbucks), and it keeps you awake. However, it’s important to eat a well-balanced diet and drink fluids that keep you hydrated. Although coffee does keep you awake, a healthy meal can also give you a burst of energy. Trust me, the last thing you want to do is eat a meal and become sluggish 30 minutes later.

Take Breaks

It’s important to have a mental breather in between study sessions. Breaks give you and your brain the opportunity to reset and recharge. During this time, you can eat a quick snack, get a sip of coffee or water, send a text or two. You can even take a quick nap if you’re able.

Get Adequate Rest

Along with taking breaks, it is important to get enough rest. When I was in high school, my English teacher told me that test taking is all about endurance. You have to have the ability to keep going after tests, so you have to stay energized. You can’t run a marathon on an hour of sleep, so don’t expect to make it through the week on an hour.

Prayer

Prayer is super important, you guys. Throughout this week, it’s normal to be angry, fed up, or just plain tired. In fact, we all are. However, it is important to pray about it. Prayer allows you to get your mind off of the negative aspects of finals week, and focus on your reward. It’s also helpful to meditate on some scriptures that are centered on encouragement. One scripture that will definitely be on my mind is Hebrews 10:35-36:

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (NIV)

Attend Any Study Sessions

If any of your classmates or professors are holding any study sessions, make sure that you are in attendance. Make sure that you bring your notes, and any questions you may have about the material.

Protective Styling

Okay, this one is for my natural college girls lol. Trust me, this saves a lot of time. The last thing you want to do is be late to your 8:30 AM exam because you woke up late and you have to unravel those twists. Before finals start, install a quick protective style to save your hair, and your time.

These are all of the tips I could come up with to help prepare for finals. Hopefully, these will help you as you endure these next two or three weeks.